The round-robin stage of the Man v Fat Season 6 Cup saw every player putting on a performance worth celebrating.
In the spirit of friendly competition and mutual support, the teams rallied under the pressure of the cup tournament.
Parmesan Belgrade Blacks, dubbed the Invincibles, stood unbroken in the face of the cup’s rigorous trials.
Their reputation drew the focus and ambition of their competitors, each team eager to dismantle their flawless record. Saint Eat-Again Greens, this season’s underdogs, ran the cup favourites close, but ultimately narrowly tasted defeat with a final score of 9-7.
Elsewhere this week, Scran United Reds clinched an impressive victory over Fatarselona Oranges, with a decisive 21-7 result. In the final fixture of the evening, Fatburn Rovers Blues put on a commanding performance to overcome Borussia Muncheneverything Whites with a definitive 7-2 scoreline.
This week’s Man of the Match accolades were earned through grit, determination and outstanding performances on the pitch.
Johnny Brown of Fatburn Rovers Blues was instrumental in guiding his side’s play, showcasing an unfaltering work ethic.
The Whites’ Rhys Ash was a force on the pitch, notching two goals. Ryan Robert’s unyielding energy for the Reds both dictated the game’s flow and left him as a constant threat on the ball.
Ben Snell of Fatarselona Oranges received the recognition for his off-ball brilliance and spectacular goals. Mark Bray was the star for the Blacks, consistently creating opportunities and proving to be a menace for the opposition.
And finally, Dennis Craik from Saint Eat-Again Greens received applause for his incredible saves that kept the Greens in contention.
Scoring four on the pitch and losing 1.1kg off it, one of this week’s key players was Lewis Whitaker from Fatburn Rovers Blues. Lewis, a 31-year-old courier from Carlisle, spoke about his transformative experience with Man v Fat.
“Since joining, I’ve lost 13kg in just under two seasons,” he said, crediting his success to the unique blend of football and weight loss the league offers.
“I stumbled upon a Man v Fat Facebook ad at the end of a week when I decided to bid farewell to my last takeaway and start making changes. I’ve never been comfortable with gym cardio and was too self-conscious to do it outdoors due to my fitness level.
“When I delved deeper into what Man v Fat was all about, I was instantly hooked. I’ve always battled with my weight, but since joining, I’ve lost over two stone, and I’m inching closer to my 15 per cent milestone.”
League coach, Beverley Young, reflected on the week’s events: “It’s been an incredible week for our teams. Fatburn Rovers Blues and Saint Eat-Again Greens in particular displayed exceptional commitment both on the field and with their weight loss goals.
“We also have to commend the collective effort of Scran United Reds, achieving a stellar team loss of 7.1kg. A special applause goes to Mark Bray, who made a stunning entrance into the league with a significant 3.4kg weight loss. It’s been an excellent start to the cup tournament, and we’re eager to see what comes next!”
As the players brace for the final week of the cup group stage, their stories continue to inspire. The tournament isn’t only about who comes out on top, but about personal triumphs, camaraderie and the transformative power of football.
The league is currently extending an invitation for new players to join the ranks, as it gears up for its upcoming Season 7, kicking off in August. It’s an ideal time to join: don’t miss the chance to make your mark both on and off the pitch!
The initiative is for all abilities, and there’s no age limit. Players can go completely at their own pace, no matter their fitness levels.
Man v Fat Carlisle is a weight-loss football league for overweight or obese men with a BMI of 27.5 or above, and provides a supportive and friendly environment for men to lose weight and improve their overall health and wellbeing, with over 1400lbs lost so far.
The league – which combines football with a weight-loss programme that includes diet and exercise advice, weekly weigh-ins and support from fellow players – has been a resounding success, with over 100 players from across Cumbria experiencing improvements in their physical and mental health. The matches take place on every Monday evening at the Harraby 3G pitches on Edgehill Road in Carlisle.
For more information, or to join the programme, visit www.manvfatfootball.org/carlisle or search Man v Fat Football Carlisle on Facebook.
Readers of this article can receive a special discount when signing up, by using code CUMBRIA when prompted on the Man v Fat website.
